How Leeds raised £100,000 for five incredible causes in 2019

Leeds showed its compassionate side throughout 2019 by raising almost £100,000 for five worthy causes (Image: GoFundMe)

Sign up to FREE email alerts from LeedsLive - Daily

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. OurPrivacy Noticeexplains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Transformational treatment for Beeston boy

Five-year-old Patrick Askham has spent much of his young life in hospital (Image: GoFundMe)

Five-year-old Patrick Askham is the very definition of a fighter.

The youngster was born with gastroschisis, with his bowels outside his body.

"We’ve lost count how many times Patrick has been to theatre, stomas, caecostomys, broviac lines, bowel perforations - he’s truly been through it all," said his family.

But a GoFundMe page set up for Patrick has raised an incredible £13,577, which has paid for the first round of his cytotoxic T-cell therapy.

Speaking in August, the family said: "The hope to assist wee Patrick is all now not a dream, but a fantastic start to the rest of his life - to give him the chance to have more fantastic memories with such a beautiful family.

Leeds leaps to defence of American musician

When PledgeMusic collapsed in 2019, hundreds of artists all over the world were affected.

Used by the likes of The Libertines, Interpol and Sum 41, it allowed fans (aka 'Pledgers') to crowdfund album launches and gigs in return for incentives and exclusive content. Think of it as Kickstarter for the music industry.

American rock artist Danny Vaughn was one of those affected, so his Leeds-based merchandise manager Julie Bootland launched a fundraising page to help him.

Almost 500 fans simply transferred their donations from the PledgeMusic account to GoFundMe and more than £22,000 has been raised to date.

His dad Nick, who is from Leeds, and his mum Jana have been with him every day since in hospital. However, their private family insurance reached its £25,000 limit in less than a week, with medical costs hitting £4,000 a day.

A tragic update posted on Saturday, December 28 said: "Unfortunately the results of the ECG and MRI indicated that York’s brain has continued to deteriorate and that he will never wake up.

"Nick and Jana are working with the hospital to find out what their options are at this stage. Please keep this lovely family in your thoughts in this terrible situation."

Read More

Related Articles

LeedsLive has launched a WhatsApp group to keep you up to date with the latest news! Click here to join and follow the instructions on your phone. Your number won't be shared with anyone else in the group.